Asia-Pacific region is key to Airbus

At this weeks Singapore Airshow, Airbus acknowledged the importance of the Asia-Pacific region - the fastest-growing market globally for new civil aircraft - as its leading market position in the region strengthened over 2015.

The European aircraft manufacturer received 421 net orders from 17 airlines in the region during the year, representing 39 per cent of the company’s net order intake in 2015 for 1,080 aircraft.

“The Asia-Pacific region has traditionally been one of our strongest markets. In recent years we have consolidated our position with our complete range of modern and efficient products. We expect this trend to continue in the coming years, especially in the widebody market where the A350 XWB is setting new standards in the 300 - 400 seat category,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO. The A350 XWB’s participation in this week’s Singapore Airshow is particularly appropriate with the aircraft’s popularity throughout the Asia-Pacific market.

Of the 750-plus A350 XWB orders received to date, approximately one-third are from Asia-Pacific customers. “The A350 XWB's higher capacity and lower seat-mile costs make it ideal to accommodate Asia’s strong traffic growth in the most profitable way, while its superior comfort and brand-new cabin provide additional passenger attractiveness in a competitive and comfort-sensitive Asian market,” Said Joost van der Heijden, Airbus' Head of Marketing for Asia.

The Asia-Pacific region is also a key A380 market, and the A380 will play an important role as the region’s passenger traffic develops during the years to come, Airbus said at the airshow. Asia-Pacific is a major “home” for the A380 - with almost half of the global customer base for Airbus’ 21st century flagship jetliner located there, while all of the other world’s operators utilise A380s on routes to destinations in the area.

Singapore Airlines was the launch customer of the A380 in 2007, and is now flying an expanding fleet of the airliners from its base at Changi Airport – located next to the Changi Exhibition Centre, where this week’s Singapore Airshow is being held. “While airline passenger traffic doubles worldwide every 15 years, such a doubling occurs each 10 years in Asia – so A380’s market importance will continue as airlines respond to the growing demand,” explained David Dufrenois, head of Airbus’ A380 Market Development Platform

Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier at the Singapore Airshow